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American League Central Division White Sox: Chris Sale lowers ERA to 1.99. Last Sox pitcher to lead AL in ERA was Joel Horlen (2.06 in 1967.) Indians: Posting a 1.49 ERA in 10 second-half starts, Corey Kluber establishes himself as an elite pitcher. Royals: Crunch time for Ned Yost. Could be AL Manager of the Year, or could be scapegoat if Royals blow playoff spot. Tigers: Joe Nathan apologizes for "chin-flicking" booing fans. Brad Ausmus: "Clearly an inappropriate gesture." Twins: After winning title in Class A Fort Myers, could former Twin Doug Mientkiewicz be heir apparent to Ron Gardenhire? East Division Blue Jays: Jose Bautista leads Jays to...

We have a good young group of left-handers out of the pen. Matt Thornton has been great over the years, one of the best steals ever. But is it time to shop to see his value? -- Keek; Tucson, Ariz.
Not yet, unless the return is overwhelming at this...

A look at the highlights of what's happening all around spring training in Florida and Arizona today: ___ KNEE TEST Yankees ace CC Sabathia will make his first spring training start, against Toronto in Tampa, Florida. The 34-year-old lefty was hobbled...

CLEARWATER, Fla. On each of the last two mornings when Phillies pitchers gathered to play catch, Cliff Lee was absent. The discomfort in his pitching elbow had progressively worsened, so the 36-year-old left-hander weighed his options. Late Monday...

CLEARWATER, Fla. With three weeks until opening day, the Phillies' starting rotation is still very much in flux. Cliff Lee is attempting to pitch through a tear in his elbow tendon and Aaron Harang has missed two of three scheduled Grapefruit League...

Phillies starter Paul Clemens pitched two perfect innings, but Philadelphia lost to the University of Tampa 6-2 Sunday in the first spring training game for a major league team this year. Detroit and Miami play college teams Monday, then the regular slate...

Jerry Dipoto has heard the criticism of the Angels, that they're getting old, that they're suffocating under the weight of their massive, long-term contracts, that they better win a championship soon, or else.
"That's been the public commentary, the...

HOUSTON — The Angels couldn't beat Bud Norris on Friday night. The way they've hit the Houston ace — he has given up one earned run in 28 innings (0.32 earned-run average) of four starts against them this season, including seven four-hit innings Friday...

A season marred by injuries took another ugly turn Monday night when Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick suffered a hyperextended left knee and had to be helped off the field in the fifth inning of a 5-2 loss to the Texas Rangers.
Kendrick, who is...

CLEVELAND — It happened so fast, like one of those summer thunderstorms that can plunge a brilliant Midwest afternoon into darkness.
Five runs ahead and 10 outs away from a three-game sweep in Progressive Field, Angels starter Jerome Williams...

NEW YORK — There was one bright spot for the Angels in a 2-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Monday night. Garrett Richards gave up only two runs and seven hits in eight innings, striking out three and walking one, to solidify a rotation spot and give the...

Josh Hamilton’s two-run home run in the 11th inning gave the Angels a 9-7 win over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night at Angel Stadium.
Hamilton’s walk-off homer against Boston reliever Craig Breslow, following a single by Brad Hawpe, came after the...

OAKLAND — Forks and knives scraping plates were all that broke the silence in the Angels clubhouse Friday night after a 6-4 loss to the Oakland Athletics dropped them 11 games back in the American League West.
It has become an all-too-familiar soundtrack...

Staff writer Tim Hubbard looks at three players whose surprising performances in the first half have earned them roster spots in Tuesday's All-Star game in New York.
Patrick Corbin
SP | Arizona
When the Angels traded for Dan Haren in July 2010, many...

Another shaky start by Jerome Williams and three throwing errors led to a clunker of a game Sunday for the Angels, who lost to Oakland, 6-0, at Angel Stadium to fall 10 games behind the Athletics in the American League West.
Williams (5-6) was tagged for...

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Angels are so desperate for starting pitching depth that they probably will bring struggling right-hander Joe Blanton, who is 2-14 with a 6.04 earned-run average and was banished to the bullpen in late July, to spring training...

HOUSTON — Jerome Williams wants to be a starter for the Angels next season.
Williams kept on making his case Sunday, winning a third straight start for the first time since April 2004 as the Angels beat Houston, 2-1, to send the Astros to their 98th...

Jerome Williams won his fourth consecutive start Saturday night, overcoming five walks while giving up one run and five hits in 52/3 innings of a 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners, and before the game, Manager Mike Scioscia praised the right-hander...

Mark Trumbo didn't just get a hit all five times he stepped to the plate Tuesday night. He circled the bases every time, too.
Trumbo matched a team record with four extra-base hits, including back-to-back home runs with Josh Hamilton, and Chris...

The Angels have agreed to terms with starting pitcher Chris Volstad, 27, on a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training, an early off-season move that might not bode well for the future of pitchers Jerome Williams and Tommy Hanson...